Sunday, July 27, 2014Attorney General closes East Akron Community House investigationAttorney General DeWine says a new board -- and new audit measures -- will prevent lax financial oversight at the century old non-profitby WKSU's KABIR BHATIA

ReporterKabir Bhatia

In The Region:

Attorney General Mike DeWine has closed his investigation of an Akron charity, putting in place a laundry list of conditions for the non-profit’s new board and executive team. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.

DeWine's office received a tip last year that the East Akron Community House was failing to review financial records and expense reimbursements, and that the social services agency was not maintaining a budget or an inventory of assets.

Now, the non-profit -– which provides vocational programs, youth outreach and HIV awareness to neighborhoods in East Akron -- has a new board. And DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney says an agreement is in place requiring quarterly audits for the next three years.

“It’s only in the rarest circumstances that we would need to shut down a charity. And often, when we do that, [they're] sham charities or charities that popped pup overnight. It's very rare we would shut down a long-standing organization that's done good work for decades.”

DeWine’s office is not saying whether criminal charges may be filed against former East Akron Community House officials. Going forward, the non-profit plans to seek new funding and to hire a new executive director.

The charity’s headquarters on Arlington Street is in foreclosure, and Akron City Council last month approved a plan for the city to buy the building.